Chile Highlights - 13 Days

Welcome to Chile!

Your 13-day adventure begins here in Santiago de Chile. You are free to arrive at your leisure today. Upon arrival at Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL), you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to your hotel.

In the afternoon, you will enjoy a nice city tour of the city, this cosmopolitan capital that perfectly blends tradition and modernity. This tour will allow you to discover the origins of the city and its most must-sees landmarks, such as the main square (home to the Cathedral), the Central Post Office, and Santiago’s City Hall. You will also visit La Moneda Palace, the seat of government, as well as the traditional neighborhoods of the historic city center. Then continue to the modern Barrio Lastarria, renowned for its cultural heritage and gastronomic offerings.The tour then continues through Parque Forestal, a green oasis located in the heart of the bustling city center, and on to the bohemian Bellavista district.

Today, enjoy a nice full-day tour towards the Chilean coast to visit the cities of Viña del Mar and Valparaiso, located approximately one and half hours from Santiago. During the journey, you will travel through the Casablanca Valley, known for its vineyards and scenic landscapes. A wine tasting may be arranged at one of the traditional wineries in the region. The tour begins with the visit to Viña del Mar, known as the “Garden City”, recognisable for its elegant architecture, and beautiful gardens, home to the famous Flower Clock. Next, the tour continues to Valparaiso, a city declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, renowned for its colourful architecture, steep hills, and vibrant cultural life. At the end of the tour, return to Santiago.

Very early in the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Santiago de Chile domestic airport to board your flight to Calama city and then be transferred to San Pedro de Atacama city, you will cross the Domeyko Mountain Range and the Cordillera de la Sal. Later in the afternoon, you will travel though the driest desert in the world to visit the Moon Valley and The Death Valley, where you will see the rocky hills and unusual formations of the Cordillera de Sal lies the Moon Valley, a true geological spectacle. On this tour, you will discover the extraordinary shapes of this lunar landscape, which gives you the impression of walking on another planet. Next, you will visit Death Valley, this name comes from a distortion of “Mars Valley”, due to its terrain resembling the red planet. Return to your hotel after the tour concludes.

On this day, you will visit the stunning blue lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques, these lagoons are surrounded by volcanoes and are home of the flamingos. Then you will visit Socaire, a village of pre-Hispanic origin, known for its traditional terraced farming system and its stone houses built in the Atacameno style, with earth and wooden roofs. On your way back, you will visit the Atacama Salt Flat, a protected area managed by CONAF, featuring a spectacular landscape of salt crusts and forming saline lagoons. After that you will proceed to Toconao, a small colonial village with picturesque constructions made of liparite stone and the historic San Lucas Church, before heading to a local restaurant for lunch. At the end of the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel.

Early this morning, we will pick you up from your hotel to transfer you towards the highest peaks of the Andes Mountain Range to reach El Tatio Geysers geothermal field, located at 4,321 meters above sea level. You will arrive at dawn to observe the impressive steam jets rising from boiling water pools, when geothermal activity is at its peak, and it can reach heights of up to 6 meters. En route back to San Pedro de Atacama, you will visit Machuca wetland (bofedal), where it is possible to spot typical regional fauna including flamingos, vicuñas, ducks, and llamas.

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Calama Airport to board your flight to Puerto Montt via Santiago. Upon arrival, begin your visit at Puerto Montt’s Main Square, where you will visit the Cathedral and the Monument to the German Colonists. Then you will enjoy spectacular panoramic views over the city, the Reloncaví Sound, and Tenglo Island. You will also visit the picturesque Angelmó Cove, visiting its market, traditional cocinerías, and handicraft fair, where you can find a wide variety of local products. Next you will head to Puerto Varas, located on the shores of Lake Llanquihue, offering breathtaking views of the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes. Visit its Main Square, the Old Quarter, and the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, an exact replica of a church from Germany’s Black Forest.

In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel to drive along the southern shore of Lake Llanquihue, where you will learn about the region’s German colonisation and agricultural heritage. Upon entering Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, you will admire the beautiful Petrohué Falls, famous for their striking turquoise-colored waters. Then you will head to the source of the Petrohué River, Lake Todos Los Santos and proceed towards the foothills off Osorno Volcano, with free time to enjoy a lunch in the village of Ensenada. Upon arrival at Osorno Volcano, weather permitting, you could have the chance to access the chairlifts (optional), offering spectacular views of the surrounding landscapes. When the tour ends, we will escort you back to your hotel.

After breakfast, you will depart towards the village of Pargua, where you will board a ferry to cross the Chacao Channel and reach the Island of Chiloé. Then you will head to the island’s inner coast to visit Quemchi and its church, followed by a nice experience of walking along the impressive 560 meter bridge connecting Aucar Islet to Chiloé Island. You will continue to Colo, where you will visit its heritage church, before heading to Tenaún to see its patrimonial church, one of the most beautiful islands. To finish this excursion inDalcahue with visits to the Main Square, the local church, and the palafitos market. At the end of the tour return to Puerto Varas.

Today, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Puerto Montt Airport to board your flight to Puerto Natales vía Santiago. Upon arrival, our staff will welcome you and escort you to your hotel.

Early in the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel, and the first place to visit is the Milodón Cave. Continue through the steppes and Patagonia scrub, full of abundant wildlife and herds of sheep, up to Torres del Paine National Park, declared world heritage by UNESCO. In the park, a large variety of native fauna, especially large herds of guanacos, can be observed. Visit the Salto Grande of the Pehoe River, with the impressive mountain massif of Torres del Paine in the background. Then visit Lake Pehoe, Lake Grey, from where you will see the Grey Glacier in the distance. Return to Puerto Natales.

At 7 in the morning, we should check in to then be taken to the place from where the navigation departs. This beautiful journey begins along the Señoret Channel to reach Mount Balmaceda to marvel at the Balmaceda Glacier. Along the way, we will spot beautiful mountains, waterfalls, estates, and the Patagonian birdlife. Upon arrival, we can walk through a dense forest of coihues and ñirres to the base of the glacier. We will return from the Serrano Glacier to Estancia Perales, where, as an appetizer, we will toast with whiskey with ancient ice. Later, we will have lunch at this same estate before continuing our return to Puerto Natales.

Please note: As Puerto Natales is a small town, please make your way directly to the meeting point located at Hermann Eberhard 560.

Today, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Puerto Natales to board your flight to Santiago. Upon arrival, our staff will welcome you and escort you to your hotel.

It’s time to say farewell. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home. Wishing you a safe journey and many cherished memories to take with you.